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Abstract

The main objective of this work was to investigate the binding capabilities of gold-coated
micro-cantilever sensors functionalized with a bimodal triazole-calix[4]arene towards
select heavy metals (e.g. Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺). The interaction between the
triazole-calix[4]arene functionalized micro-cantilevers and the target analytes resulted in
the formation of a differential surface stresse, which in turn, resulted in a mechanical
deflection of the microcantilever. Results showed that microcantilever arrays modified with
triazole-calix[4]arene were capable of detecting trace concentrations of Hg²⁺ ions as low as
10⁻¹¹ M, which is sufficiently low for most applications. Results also showed that triazolecalix[4]arene functionalized microcantilevers were capable of detecting the presence of
Pb²⁺ ions in aqueous solution of Hg²⁺.
A new functionalization unit was also constructed to functionalize all 8 microcantilevers in
an array with different sensing layers simultaneously, thus increasing the accuracy and
reliability of the experimental results.